THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ

Press Release Article

The Port Authority today authorized the award of a contract to build two additional tracks at the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal’s on-dock rail facility, continuing plans to complete this critical ship-to-rail link in 2009.

The contract calls for the demolition of four buildings and the construction of tracks 9 and 10. The rail facility’s first eight tracks began service in October 2004; it will ultimately consist of 18 tracks when completed in 2009.

Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, “This contract is part of our continuing commitment to expand our rail capacity as quickly as possible to handle our port’s projected cargo growth. Acting New Jersey Governor Codey has prioritized the port’s rail program, which is highlighted in the Port Authority’s 10-year strategic plan. We pledge to fast-track this project so we are positioned to achieve the economic and environmental benefits it will provide to the region.”

Port Authority Executive Director Kenneth J. Ringler Jr. said, “Rail is such an important component of our port redevelopment plan that we have authorized approximately $450 million to build new or expanded rail terminals at our port facilities in New York and New Jersey, and we are planning for additional improvements. We have pledged to invest all necessary resources to ensure our port remains the East Coast’s leading destination for international cargo.”

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates many of the busiest and most important transportation links in the region. They include John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and Teterboro airports; AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark; the George Washington Bridge and Bus Station; the Lincoln and Holland tunnels; the three bridges between Staten Island and New Jersey; the PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rapid-transit rail system; the Port Authority-Downtown Manhattan Heliport; Port Newark; the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal; the New York Container Terminal on Staten Island; the Brooklyn Piers/Red Hook Container Terminal; and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan. The agency also owns the 16-acre World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan.

The Port Authority is financially self-supporting and receives no tax revenue from either state.